Speaking at the launch of the Irish Open, Shane Lowry admitted "I'm not surprised by anything that happens at the minute" in the world of golf; The Team Europe Ryder Cup player hopes Jon Rahm will be able to be part of the squad in the future following his switch to LIV Golf
Wednesday 20 December 2023 23:03, UK
Shane Lowry finds nothing in golf surprising any more after Jon Rahm's move to LIV Golf, but remains hopeful the men's game can unite in the future.
Rahm had been a staunch supporter of the PGA Tour and while June's framework agreement between the American circuit, the DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - which bankrolls LIV - was hoped to bring the game back together, many players were publicly critical of the secretive nature of negotiations which led to the agreement.
Rahm's move earlier this month was the latest chapter in a tumultuous period for the game and Lowry admits nothing surprises him anymore.
"We weren't too surprised in the end, but I'm not surprised by anything that happens at the minute," Lowry said at the launch of the Irish Open.
"It had been rumoured for a while so there's no smoke without fire, is there?"
The start of the Saudi-backed league in 2022 sent shockwaves through the sport, with the likes of Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Sergio Garcia all leaving the PGA Tour to compete in LIV's 54-hole, limited-field events.
After his switch, Rahm spoke of his hope that he would be able to continue to play across tours.
That hope is shared by his European Ryder Cup team-mate from 2021 and September's 16.6-11.5 win over the United States in Rome.
"Hopeful is the word I'd use," Lowry said. "I mean, I'm not involved in anything. I just try to worry about my own thing and get on with my own game.
"But I'd be very hopeful that at some stage in the near future we will be back playing the same tournaments together and I think that's what the world of golf needs."
"Europe! Europe!" is a new documentary out from December 21 on Sky Sports Golf and repeated throughout the festive period, looking back at Europe's dramatic Solheim Cup defence and impressive Ryder Cup victory. Stream PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LPGA Tour golf plus more with a NOW Sports Month Membership - just £21 a month for six months.
